Analysts: UPC/NRM MoU Not a Surprise (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZmS8wq6YwA

“Jimmy Akena, the contested president of the opposition UPC and son to its founder the late president, Milton Oboteis set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the ruling NRM. Political analysts say the new development should not surprise Ugandans as it’s the current trend of political transactions with more politicians expected to switch sides in the near future. While Akena argues that his decision to ally with Museveni was informed by the need for a peaceful transition in 2021, Godber Tumushabe says it’s clear why this alliance took place. It was merely in exchange for ministerial posts and shift of positions regarding opinion Upcoming negotiations are expected to streamline the type of relationship the two parties will enjoy. The two parties are looking at either forming a formal alliance or a cooperation for the good of Ugandans. But is this deal similar to the one between Uganda People’s Congress and Kabaka Yekka in the early 1960s? And on whether or not the UPC/NRM alliance impacts on the UPC party and opposition politics, Godber Tumushabe had this to say” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016)

‘Zuma should publicly distance himself from the Guptas’ (Youtube-Clip)

“SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande has spoken to Eyewitness News about his view on the Gupta family’s relationship with President Jacob Zuma” (Eyewitness News, 2016)

Conflicting information: continues clash of Eritrea and Ethiopia

ethio-eritrea-boundry-map

“We fought for Eritrean independence from the colonial rule of Ethiopia. TPLF has paid a sacrifice for Eritrea greater than the combined sacrifice of the two Eritrean organizations – ELF and EPLF. Even if today Eritrea is attacked, EPRDF will jump into Eritrea, join the Eritrean people and engage the enemy.” – Sebhat Nega on Radio Woyane (May 28, 2007).

Just as the news and confirmed skirmishes on the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia, both nations have not only traded bullet, but also blame for the current aggression. The Eritrean takes their whole Liberation history and blames every bullet ever shot on their soil on Ethiopia, while Ethiopia say the recent ones was the last straw; also they did answer to new shots of guns and artillery from the Eritrean side. As they have not only sent bullet towards the Ethiopian Government, but also sent spies and others to try do create terrorism in Ethiopia.

As the Eritrean Ministry of Information wrote on 14th July 2016:

“The Government of Eritrea will issue detailed statement on the purpose, scope and implications of the latest act of military aggression by the TPLF regime.  It is nonetheless clear that mounting opposition from popular movements of the Ethiopian people, endemic corruption and associated economic crisis, as well as the desire to stem promising progress in Eritrea are indeed some of the factors prompting the TPLF regime to indulge in reckless military adventures.” (Shabait.com, 14.06.2016).

Ethiopian answer:

“Ethiopia’s military was provoked into launching this week’s attack on Eritrean forces in a disputed border area” (…) ” “major military engagement” (…) “I hope this time around they won’t make that stupid mistake of inviting us to wage a full-scale war” – Government spokesperson Reda.

Ethiopia Eritrea 12.06.2016

When you have this kind of strained relationship and also “non” friendship or even diplomacy, no matter what occurs the aggression is seen as a signal of war and cut off the cease-fire. This with the recent worrying reports:

“The Sunday attack of June 12, 2016, launched through the TPLF regime on the Tsorona Front was quashed on Monday (13 June) morning entailing heavy losses to its troops” (…) ” In this reckless attack whose ultimate aim is difficult to comprehend, more than 200 TPLF troops have been killed and more than 300 wounded.  These are conservative estimates” (…) ”Why did this callous bloodshed happen? And, for what purpose?” (…) “Those who have instigated this reckless act have attempted to provide the TPLF with political, media and diplomatic smoke-screen, both before and after the attack.  They have also deceitfully tried to apportion equal blame to the aggressor and the victim. The Government of Eritrea will address these dimensions of the attack in subsequent statements” (…) “Ministry of Information, Asmara, 16 June 2016 – Eritrean Government”.

While this is worrying enough and by all means the Eritreans wants the numbers as bad as possible for them, as they want to be violated and hurt, the killings would make Ethiopian Government bad, as they have not released any numbers of killings from the Eritrean Army towards them. Not that the numbers game are important, but the propaganda and winning the media war, is as important as the initial battle; Eritrea want to look decent, as the UN Report are addressing the harassment and torture of citizens. So the skirmishes are making people and states forgetting the human rights violations.

Reda Ethiopia

Therefore this have been floated and rumoured that the Ethiopian Government have answered towards the Eritrean counterparts:

“Sources familiar with the issue told Aigaforum the government has floated the idea to key western nations as a comprehensive plan for the horn of africa region. The Ethiopian government has informed many western nations that if Isaias Afewroki is not removed from power there will be war and Ethiopia will defend vigorously” (…) ”The issue of Isaias Afewroki’s removal from power gained momentum over the last few weeks with Al- Shabaab deadly attempt to overrun Ethiopia’s AMISOM military camp in Somalia. However, our sources told us the recent clash between Eritrea and Ethiopia in Tserona Northern Tigrai region may have given the proposal more ammunition” (…) ”Many in the government of Ethiopia are convinced the Eritrean army may rebel against Isaias Afeworki and if they are convinced about Ethiopia’s disinterest of overrunning Eritrea then they may reform and establish a government of their own that is willing to live in peace with its neighbors” (Aigaforum, 15.06.2016).

If this is so the Eritrean should worry about a full-fledged war against them as they would even get support from the United Nations Security Council, the donor-countries and the ones that are funding the Ethiopian Peacekeepers around on the African Continent; these are the ones that are offering training and educating the army of Ethiopia.

Not confirmed reports are that Gen. Deriba Mokonene of Tserona Front, have deflected from the Ethiopian side to the Eritrean, but that might just be hearsay. As non-official report, while the Ethiopian officials have also addressed the claim of 200 dead soldiers from their side:

“they are entitled to delude themselves” Ethiopia’s senior military official sarcastically responded to Awramba Times without giving further explanation, on conditions of anonymity” (Awramba Times, 16.06.2016).

This here will not be silent for a while as the aggression and military activity continues, while the relentless differing allegations and reports will not be able to verify, just as it took two days before the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments answered the claims of military actions in Tserona Front and around the border of the countries.

Every single person losing their lives on both sides is a sad loss of life, as this is both in the names of arrogance and leadership from above high, as the President of Eritrea and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia are both responsible for the loss of life. This is can be start of a new prolonged conflict between the nations and the brothers. This can be fuelled by the few allies of Eritrea, or even the allies of Ethiopia, as they both have something to earn. Both none of the parties will really win, as they both will lose citizens and lose peaceful development through diplomacy and mutual understanding. Instead there is a continued bloodshed in the name of the leadership and the legacy of the Eritrean state and also the Ethiopian leadership. Peace.

RDC: L’Assemblee Plentiere du Conseil Superieur de L’Audiovisuel de la Commication (16.06.2016)

Communique 16.06.2016 RDC

Opinion: Only the king can speak!

kenyas-deputy-president-william-ruto-addresses-prayer-service.

I will here discuss the matters of double standard between the Deputy President William Ruto and the recent detained MPs or Legislators in Kenya, as there are certain misgivings as they are not justified, because in the same time-span that the MPs might spoke with ‘hate’. The Same ‘hate’ and words of agression came from the mouth of Ruto. As I will explain and show, as the system is made for the Jubilee, against the CORD. Take a look!

Yesterday the Kenyan Police and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) we’re busy getting Members of Parliament and legislators behind bars for brawling with their tongue of late, the men that got in the spotlight of IGP Joseph K. Boinnett, CS Interior Joseph Nkaissery and Hon. Francis Xavier Ole Kaparo who have taken a decision to detain these for their words of supposed hate. These men are Moses Kuria, Ferdinand Waititu, Aisha Jumwa, Florence Mutua, Johnstone Muthama, Junet Mohammed, Timothy Bosire and Kimaani Ngunjiri.

NCIC 2016 Kenya

It might be true that their words was with spite and with anger, it might be true that they we’re wrong for their attack at the government, but why detain them, because the NCIC disagree with them or the NCIC want to be loyal to the Jubilee central leadership?

Because on the 11th of June Deputy President. William Samoei Ruto said this: “Just like Al-Shabaab mayhem, the Cord protests affected the economy. There’s no difference between the terrorists and people who disturb us every Monday.” (Barasa, 2016).

So I am sure that the 8 men said something offensive, just like Donald Trump says something offensive like wanting to be congratulated for being right that somebody had to be killed by a terrorist, as long as there are actual Muslims still in the United States, in the same way the CORD and Jubilee MPs have said something hateful or disregarding fellow politician and central leadership of Kenya.

Though who isn’t spreading fear and agony when fellow citizens who walks on the streets against the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and their impartial treatment of the public and their chicken-scandal; doesn’t make the matter better for the credit and trust in the Government institution and responsibility towards the ballots to the IEBC.

But I am sure that Jubilee, means well, deep in their hearts, though it seems like they are consolidating their power, more and more by the day, while also tendering to the foreign donors and access their neighbor countries. Something they have done with Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and their leaders.

Hassan Ali Joho Peace

“Just like Uhuru who was elected by millions of people demands respect, it is the same way Raila who was elected by millions of people deserves the same respect. Ruto should stop making demeaning remarks against our coalition leader; let him address me, I am his equal,” said Governor Hassan Ali Joho (Ouida & Oketch, 2016).

So let me clear the air, while the CORD and Jubilee legislators are detained over night for their words; why wasn’t any concern put on the second man of the nation of Kenya? Why was the locally elected in their constituency as men of their decision to jail these men for their words and tone, when the second man in charge of the country even claimed that a load of their citizens are like ‘terrorist’; Al-Shabaab’s as they are responsible for the shops closing, but none of the leadership and government question the Police Officers for their violence and aggravated actions against the citizens who are demonstrating? That what is worrying me, the impunity of actions from government, while the Opposition are getting harassed by either the Police or other parts of government institutions like NCIC of this week.

As I said, I am not standing for the words of CORD; it is more the blistering actions from Deputy President William Ruto, who have been as aggressive as the CORD MPs and Senators, so when they are detained days upon days, and would even are being detained until Friday. When we see this and has this in mind, the Jubilee and the leadership as they are responsible for all citizens as a government, not only the ones that have voted for them and their MPs.

NCIC 2016 Kenya. P2jpg

I cannot address it enough, the CORD is not all right, neither is the Jubilee, the important factor is to get fair judgement of character and fair treatment, as the Jubilee, have not done that as they are sitting on the throne and expect silence from the Opposition and their questions towards Government institutions. Instead they are being beaten and tear-gassed as they want to make amendments to the regulations and Electoral Commission that exists. As they have faith and history of the IEBC to want it to be reformed, and while the Jubilee and ruling regime harass and oppress, doesn’t validate their actions towards the General Election. Because both coalition and parties have to fix it together and should instead of “fighting” each other, actually have dialogue and not cross each other.

Not that what all CORD MPs are justified, but the DP Ruto is not stating a peaceful manner as well, when he calls out a grand amount of people and calling them alike to ’Al-Shabaab’.. That is worrying as the NCIC and CS Nkaissery would never do what they did to several of the MPs or legislators recently, as they cannot revoke or fire the cabinet members and council-members of the NCIC. That is why they would never express grievences against Ruto and his words to CORD. Peace.

Reference:

Barasa, Lucas – ‘Stop the anti-IEBC protests, DP Ruto urges Cord’ (11.06.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/-/1056/3244968/-/phndx9z/-/index.html

Ouida, Rushdie & Oketch, Angela – ‘Why Joho is now a force in Cord and national politics’ (12.06.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/why-Joho-is-now-a-force-in–Cord-and-national-politics/-/1056/3245760/-/mv8n6q/-/index.html

CORD Statement on Suspension of Thursday Anti-IEBC Protests (15.06.2016)

Cord Presser 06.06.2016

Last weekend, we announced the suspension of anti-IEBC protests that were scheduled for last Monday because we were convinced that there were positive and fruitful engagements with the Jubilee administration that seemed to be heading in the right direction and that a peaceful and speedy resolution of the IEBC stand -off was in the horizon. We however did indicate that our programmes for demonstrations would resume on Thursday in the event that no serious progress was witnessed before then.

Since then, much more progress has been made and a lot of ground covered on the sticking issues. We see political will and rays of good faith being exhibited by all parties and a conducive and enabling environment created, although we are yet to conclude discussions on a few but equally important issues.

We therefore wish to inform all our supporters and the country at large that CORD has once again agreed to call off Thursday protests to create a conducive environment for the conclusion of talks on the two or three issues that remain outstanding.

cord_drums_up_support_for_okoa_kenya_referendum_bill28561285612856128561_L

We reiterate once more that as CORD, we hold no cards under the table and our commitment and objective is limited to resolving the IEBC crisis and ensuring that the people of Kenya can have, as of right, free, fair, transparent, credible, verifiable, peaceful and accountable elections in 2017 and beyond.

However, we are deeply concerned about developments in the last few days where our MPs have been detained without trial or charges being proffered against them. The MPs are also being held incommunicado.

We think this environment cannot be sustained to make progress in the dialogue. In the circumstances, Jubilee should conclude expeditiously their response to the issues we have raised and the persecution of our members and leadership must cease. All these unless resolved will see us resume our demonstrations on Monday 20th and Thursday 23rd, 2016.

SEN. JAMES ORENGO

HON. DR. SIMIYU ESELI

Kizza Besigye at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court 15 June 2016 (Full) – (Youtube-Clip)

Dr. Kizza Besigye appeared before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on 15th June 2016 to hear a ruling on whether the treason case against him would be heard in Luzira Prison Court instead of Nakawa Chief Magistrates as the state had wished. Nakawa Magistrates Court Chief Magistrate James Ereemye Mawanda dismissed the application by the prosecution to have the mention of Kizza Besigye’s treason case transferred to Luzira prison court house.  Chief Magistrate James Ereemye Mawanda also ruled that prosecution’s claims that the former FDC presidential candidate’s security is at risk are hearsay and not supported by any evidence.  The Chief Magistrate said the mention of Besigye’s case should proceed at Nakawa until the Chief Justice decides otherwise. The matter was adjourned to the 29th June and the file in this case has been called by the High court to have Besigye’s right to bail considered. During the proceedings Dr. Kizza Besigye also listed a number of concerns he had about the conduct of his case up to that point and he pleaded with court to heed to his concerns about having a fair and judicious trial” (NTV Uganda, 2016).

Arrested CORD and Jubilee legislators file an appeal against decision to detain them (Youtube-Clip)

“8 legislators from both CORD and Jubilee this morning through their lawyers have filed an appeal against a decision to have them detained until Friday over alleged hate remarks. The legislators are arguing that their arrest goes against the right to post bail, a claim that the office of the director of public prosecution refutes claiming that the legilators will interefere with police investigations. The 8, Moses Kuria, Ferdinand Waititu, Aisha Jumwa, Florence Mutua, Johnstone Muthama, Junet Mohammed, Timothy Bosire And Kimaani Ngunjiri were arrested yesterday following public outcry over alleged remarks made in public believed to amount to incitement and hate speech” (KTN News, 2016).

Burundi: Communique De Presse Sur la Situation Securitaire de Mugamba (15.06.2016)

Burundi 15.06.2016 P1Burundi 15.06.2016 P2

Press Release: “Ethiopia has opened another unprovoked military attack against Eritrea & Peace on the Tsorona Front on June 12 2016” (15.06.2016)

Eritrea 15.06.2016